PUSB: 'From the Boardroom' versus Colchester United

Programme column from Saturday's game...

23 October 2017

Mark Hornby

After each matchday programme, we will be publishing the 'From the Boardroom' article on our website. For Saturday's match against Colchester United, Coventry City Chairman Tim Fisher wrote the column and his article is published below:

Good afternoon and welcome to today’s game against Colchester United. I would like to welcome all supporters to the match, including those away supporters who have made the trip to the Ricoh today.

Today’s game is our match in support of Prostate Cancer UK. The EFL’s partnership with PCUK is unique, and we are delighted to play our part both today and throughout the season in raising awareness and funds as we combat a disease which affects so many men in our society – one in eight men will get prostate cancer.

Collectors will be around the ground this afternoon, and they will all be given a free ticket to watch the game after they have done their fundraising.

On Tuesday, we were delighted to announce that Jordan Willis has signed a new contract with the club.

As you will know, Jordan is a Coventry kid and a product of our Academy too. All of the coaches involved in his development through the youth teams to the first team should be very proud of him, as of course should his family. Fans will have seen Jordan progress since he made his debut back in 2011, and we look forward to that continuing.

Also on Tuesday was our game against Forest Green Rovers. Of course it was a disappointing result, and the Manager reflects on this elsewhere in today’s programme.

Near the end of the match, one supporter entered the field of play. Our investigation into the incident, alongside the stadium safety team at the Ricoh Arena, started on Wednesday in the aftermath of the game, and will look at how this happened and the reaction to it. The existing procedures in place for CCFC matchdays will also be reviewed, and this incident will be taken very seriously. Entering the field of play is a criminal offence, and the Police will take action against supporters in these incidents.

To end on a more reflective note. As the news has shown, the challenges in Iraq have increased over the last week. The donated sports kit from CCFC is beginning its journey. In the region of 200 football shirts, shorts and tracksuits are currently waiting to be sent to Iraq, but unfortunately international flights to Iraq have been suspended due to fighting in the country. Thousands more people were displaced this week, having to leave Kirkuk. This only served to highlight how volatile a place it is to live and how difficult lives are in Iraq and how important the support for the people living there is.